- Less than four in ten parents* actively sought to understand a sports club’s safeguarding procedures before allowing their child to join
- Some sports clubs are also not providing parents with information about their safeguarding procedures
- Scottish Athletics, Scottish Gymnastics and Netball Scotland join together in supporting NSPCC and Children 1st’s Parents In Sport Week (October 5-11)
KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN SPORT
A group of Scottish governing sporting bodies has backed a joint NSPCC and Children 1st campaign to raise awareness of safeguarding standards in sports clubs and improve safety measures.
Scottish Gymnastics, Scottish Athletics, and Netball Scotland have all pledged their support to Parents In Sport Week, an NSPCC event that runs each year.
New research found less than four in ten parents* actively sought to understand the safeguarding procedures of their local sports/ leisure clubs before signing their child up to take part in practice sessions, matches and competitions.
An online YouGov survey*, conducted on behalf of the NSPCC showed that 38% of parents across the UK actively tried to find out whether basic safety measures were in place before allowing their child to join a club.
Further cause for concern is that 38% of parents* said they had either never received or could not recall whether they had been sent any information about safeguarding measures by their child’s sports/ leisure club once they were a member.
Tackling these issues and encouraging positive parental involvement in youth sports is the aim of the NSPCC and Children 1st’s ‘Parents In Sport Week’, which launches today (Oct 5).
The three Scottish sporting bodies are supporting the annual event, which also calls on parents to make ‘The Sports Parents Promise’ – an online commitment which helps them choose a safer club for their children.
‘The Sports Parents Promise’ also encourages parents to be a positive influence when watching their child’s games from the side lines.
Doc McKelvey, CEO of Scottish Gymnastics, said: “We fully support Parents in Sport week as they play an important part in sport whether taking their child to a club or supporting them through their competitive journey.
“We are committed to providing a safe, healthy, and positive environment for children and young people to enjoy gymnastics and encourage parents and carers to ask ten key questions to find out about the safeguarding procedures in their club.”
Colin Hutchison, Head of Development at Scottish Gymnastics, said: “Scottish Athletics is delighted to support NSPCC Scotland’s ‘Parents in Sports Week’.
“Parents and guardians play a vital role in supporting the development of young people in sport and providing a safe, fun environment for them to learn. We would urge all parents with children in sport to make the Sports Parents Promise.”
Claire Nelson, CEO of Netball Scotland and the Strathclyde Sirens, said: “We have been proud partners of NSPCC Scotland for the past four years and we are delighted to again support the Sports Parents Promise.
“This is a great initiative, and we would urge anyone whose children are involved in sports to sign up. Positive support and involvement from parents helps to build strong and lasting relationships between them and their children.”
Michelle North, Director of the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit, said: “Sport is a huge part of childhood with many young people spending countless happy hours practicing and playing and making new friends.
“Checking on a club’s safeguarding procedures before signing up will give parents the peace of mind that their child is in a safe and secure environment.
“That’s why we’re encouraging parents and sports clubs across the country to make our Sports Parents Promise, because it’s essential that everyone plays their part in protecting children and help make every sporting experience a positive one.”
Every sports club and activity provider should have a welfare or safeguarding officer as well as a safeguarding policy and the NSPCC is encouraging every parent to find out who to contact in their children’s sport if they have any questions or concerns.
To keep up to date with the latest news from the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit, follow @TheCPSU on Twitter. To support the NSPCC’s Parents In Sport week on social media, follow the campaign using #ParentsInSportWeek2020.